Queens Park Rangers’ game at home to Fulham tomorrow is not just a battle between west London rivals but a match between two coaches who paid the price for not satisfying impatient Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

If anyone has sympathy for the way Fulham manager Martin Jol (above) lost his job at Spurs five years ago, it is Redknapp.

Prior to Redknapp’s three-year reign, Jol had been the most successful manager at White Hart Lane in the Premier League, leading them to fifth-placed finishes in 2006 and 2007.

It was not good enough for Levy and the Dutchman infamously learned he was getting the sack during a home game against

Getafe. His replacement, Juande Ramos, won the League Cup but his reign proved a disaster and he lasted just 12 months before being replaced by Redknapp.

“Martin is an excellent coach and did a great job at Tottenham,” said Redknapp. “I remember watching his last game on TV and he lost his job during the match. It was bizarre. He didn’t know until half‑time — but the crowd seemed to know. It was unbelievable. It wasn’t right.

“Neither of us took over a club that had been very successful over the years. Tottenham’s average position in the Premier League before us would have probably been about 10th, so for Martin to finish fifth and me to finish fourth was good.

“I know Martin, we get on and I look forward to seeing him tomorrow. I have a lot of time for him and he’s doing a great job at Fulham now.”

Redknapp admits he is a little envious of Jol as he has the benefit of being able to pick former Tottenham and Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov (above, second image).

The 31-year-old Bulgaria international left Old Trafford in the summer for a cut‑price £5million and has been in impressive form, scoring five times this term.

Redknapp added: “Berbatov is a fantastic player. When Fulham took him it was the signing of the season. No doubt about it. How other clubs didn’t go in for him I don’t know — they should have been queuing up.

“Those kind of players for that money rarely come up — tremendous buy. He is the kind of player I’d love to have here.”

One would think QPR’s hopes of a first League win of the season could be boosted by Fulham’s poor away record.

They have won just once on their travels this term — a 2-1 victory at Wigan in September — but Redknapp admitted wryly: “They haven’t got far to come tomorrow though!”

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar has recovered from a groin problem so Redknapp will have a tough choice whether to drop Robert Green to the bench.